A major proposal to build a 304-acre solar farm spanning three counties in South Wales has been submitted for consideration by Welsh Ministers.
If approved by the Welsh Government, the project would see 123.3 hectares of farmland across Newport, Monmouthshire, and Torfaen transformed into a solar farm, featuring thousands of ground-mounted solar panels designed to power the National Grid.
The development aims to support the UK Government’s ambition of achieving its Net Zero target.
The solar panels are expected to reach four metres in height. Through the efficient use of natural sunlight, the farm would generate renewable energy for supply to the national grid, strengthening the country’s green energy network.
According to the planning documents, the Pegasus Group intends to submit a full application to develop ground-mounted solar photovoltaic arrays with a capacity of up to 46MW.
The scheme would also include all associated works, equipment, and infrastructure on land at Court Farm, Ponthir, Monmouthshire.
The proposed development area crosses the boundaries of Monmouthshire County Council, Torfaen County Borough Council, and Newport City Council.
It is designed to contribute to both local and national renewable energy targets, aiming to reduce reliance on finite fossil fuel sources.
The proposal describes the solar installation as a temporary and reversible use of agricultural land, with plans for full restoration of the site once operations end.
The solar farm is proposed for a 40-year lifespan, after which all panels and infrastructure would be dismantled and removed, allowing the land to return to farming use.
The developers claim the project would have minimal impact on nearby communities regarding noise, transport, health, biodiversity, and population.
Although the solar panels would be visible from certain areas, steps would be taken to minimise visual disruption, including the retention of existing hedgerow vegetation and trees wherever feasible.
Given its planned generating capacity between 10MW and 350MW, the project qualifies as a Development of National Significance (DNS) under section 4 of the Wales Act 2015.
DNS projects involve large-scale infrastructure applications determined directly by Welsh Ministers rather than local planning authorities.
The decision on whether the solar farm will proceed now lies in the hands of the Ministers of the Senedd.
